Da Vinci and his Mirror Handwriting

Take a look at the sample of Da Vinci’s handwriting below. The first thing you’ll notice is that it is done in mirror writing.

In fact, if you hold the handwriting sample in front of a mirror you will see that the letters instantly become more recognizable.

It is well known that many left-handed writers are able to do mirror writing quite easily. Da Vinci, however, was ambidextrous so he could easily write with both hands.

It is said the he wrote his secret diaries in mirror writing using his left hand but that when he wrote an ordinary letter that he wanted people to understand, he used his right hand.

Now we know that Da Vinci was a genius and a great inventor so it is easy to say with hindsight that his writing shows genius and inventiveness .

However, even the untrained eye can recognize the busy, intricate quality of the writing; and when we examine the handwriting in greater detail, evidence of his versatility and inventiveness become quite obvious.

Here is a clearer picture of Da Vinci’s handwriting. Take a good look at it and tell me what you notice.

In my next post I will tell you what I think about it.

I will try to give you some insight into the workings of his mind – but I also hope to put forward what I think is a good case for the relevance of graphology.

But before I publish the next post please comment on what you think is the most outstanding quality of this handwriting. I value every opinion however controversial because it makes us think!